Bladestar looked on from the trees, observing the two apprentices with their mentors.
"Keep you back end down a little more Bravepaw!" Grayleaf instructed. "And don't forget to keep your tail from brushing against the leaves."
Bravepaw held his face in a determined grimace, trying to concentrate on all that his mentor was saying. He had all his focus on a small pebble that was supposed to represent his prey. He suddenly gave a giant leap and landed neatly on the pebble.
"Excellent! That was perfect." His mentor praised him. "Now, you can both go over there a ways and keep on practicing."
Bladestar breathed a deep sigh. This is what he missed most about being just a regular warrior and not leader. Having so much time and freedom to spend with the young apprentices, teaching them how to overcome obstacles and become good warriors for their Clan. He also thought of all the good he was able to do as leader now though, and how it was his duty to protect them and make decisions that would keep them safe. That's why this journey to the Moonpool was so important.
"No fair Bravepaw! You keep trying to distract me." Redpaw whined.
"meowwr!" Laughed Bravepaw, as he made yet another silly face.
"Bravepaw! Now stop that. You know how hard it is to concentrate while trying to remember all these techniques!"
"We've been at this for forever!" Bravepaw meowed, "Come on, they're not even watching! Let's have some fun."
Bravepaw suddenly then jumped on Redpaw and they both started tussling and play fighting around, rolling into the long grass.
Bladestar watched for a second and then decided to make his presence known.
"Well, looks like we have some serious battle training going on here." He meowed, trying to keep the wide grin off his face. He obviously had caught them completely by surprise and couldn't help but try and keep a stern face. (After all they were supposed to be training.)
"Oh er we were just, um…" Bravepaw glanced at Redpaw trying to think of words to finish his sentence, "We were-" "Just practicing some of our battle moves so that we will be all prepared if anything happens where we'll need to defend our Clan." Redpaw quickly finished.
"Ohh, I see. Well, I might need you to post-pone that for today. Where are your mentors?"
"Over there," Bravepaw pointed with his paw, "They wanted to give us a chance to practice the moves on our own for a while."
"Well you two may come along, after all you'll need to hear this."
He saw them exchange a worried look and then nod their consent.
"I hope we're not in trouble," Mumbled Bravepaw gravely to his littermate.
Bladestar knew they would find out their surprise soon enough.
As they emerged from the long grass, Grayleaf and Ashnose who had their heads bent close and appeared to be in deep conversation, looked up with faces of bewilderment and slight surprise. They then quickly took a pace back from each other.
"I wonder if I have been blind to something going on between those two all along," Bladestar mused, "Of course it would make perfect sense. I can't believe I haven't guessed! They've been great friends for countless moons and get along wonderfully."
Grayleaf then asked in a rather flustered manner, "Bladestar, to what pleasure do we owe this unexpected visit?"
"I was hoping that you wouldn't mind Elmfur taking Bravepaw and Redpaw to the Moonpool today. Elmfur is already going, and I thought it would be a good opportunity for them to take their apprentice journey there, even though it is a little early." Bladestar meowed.
"If that is what you would like, Redpaw can be ready to leave whenever you like," Ashnose offered.
"Bravepaw too," Grayleaf added.
"Wonderful, I will take them back with me now, that way if you two would like to go hunting. I saw that the freshkill pile was a little low when I left."
Bravepaw noticed that Bladestar seemed to give a knowing smile to the two mentors and then, turned to leave, with that, Bravepaw and Redpaw followed quickly behind their leader trying to keep up with his long strides back to camp.
JOURNEY TO THE MOONPOOL
"How far is it to the MoonPool?" Bravepaw questioned Elmfur. (Their Clan medicine cat)
"Not too far." She answered briskly, "Although I've been there many, many times before, so I've gotten used to it. But you two are young so hopefully it won't be too hard. If we keep up this good pace, we should make it there as soon as the moon is at its highest peak. In my experience, that is when StarClan prefers to speak to me."
It was Moonhigh now, and they had left as soon as they reached camp. They had had to eat some yucky traveling herbs that Elmfur had prepared before they left. Bravepaw could still feel bitter taste in his mouth. Elmfur had said they would appreciate them later, being as they were getting a late start and probably wouldn't have time to hunt till on the way back.
"What does StarClan normally say?" Redpaw asked.
"She can't tell us that!" Bravepaw intercepted quickly, "That's medicine cat business."
"That's right." She meowed good-naturedly, "But don't worry Redpaw, StarClan usually doesn't share anything too difficult with apprentices. Sometimes just a flash or some feeling of what their future might be like, just remember that if you have deep feelings of pain or joy, you have the power to make your life. StarClan will only advise and always be there to guide you if you wish it."
"Have you seen my parents in StarClan?" Bravepaw asked somewhat hopefully.
Elmfur eyed the young apprentice with a wave of pity, "No, I'm sorry Bravepaw. I haven't ever seen them there."
Noticing the look of sadness in his eyes she continued, "Of course, just because I've never met them doesn't mean they aren't there. Besides, for all we know your parents could still be alive somewhere, and looking for you."
"I doubt that." Bravepaw thought. "I wouldn't of been left in some random bushes if they were alive, or maybe they just didn't want me."
As they picked up there pace slightly, all conversation ceased and Bravepaw continued reflecting on why his real parents had decided to leave him. "I'm glad it was Edgeclaw who found me. Mouse-tail! I can't even imagine a life without him. I'm greatful to Daisyfur of course, she has been nothing but kind and caring to me, although I have never felt a real connection with her. Not like Redpaw must obviously feel to her. Why was I abandoned?
He hoped he would find at least some of the answers to his questions at the Moonpool.
Hope u all enjoy this chapter!:) Please leave a review, blah blah blah and all that good stuff;)